YEAR IN REVIEW 2012

A PDF of this document can be found at www.kcls.org/about/annualreport MILLION 2012 YEAR IN REVIEW TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 4 6 20 FROM THE 2012 IN SERVICES COLLECTIONS DIRECTOR NUMBERS THREE POINTS QUALITY AND OF ACCESS QUANTITY 22 24 26 28 TECHNOLOGY STAFF FACILITIES STEWARDSHIP UPDATES AND DAILY BUILDING FINANCIAL UPGRADES DEDICATION COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY 30 32 33 BEHIND THE HONORABLE BUDGET SCENES MENTIONS OUTCOMES 34 35 36 FINANCIAL CIRCULATION LEADERSHIP REPORT STATISTICS

1 FROM THE DIRECTOR

Connecting with the community remained a priority. ALIGN Library2Go! vehicles visited home daycare and community The King County Library System (KCLS) did not rest on sites every month to bolster the reading readiness of its laurels after being named Library of the Year in 2011. preschoolers in the KCLS service area. Partnerships Instead, KCLS focused on aligning services and staffing to were formed with agencies in South King County and prepare for the future through the continued growth and Bellevue to increase academic achievement among evolution of KCLS’ physical and virtual offerings. low-income students. KCLS led this collaborative effort In 2012, more than 22 million items were checked out, through participation in the Let’s Read! program to help including 1.02 million eBooks, which is KCLS’ fastest students avoid losing reading progress as a result of the growing service. More eBooks were downloaded from “summer slide.” A new initiative to assist communities KCLS than any other public library system in the country with civic issues, Convey, was first utilized by the City of and more than 10,000 new eBook titles were added Kirkland. Library staff assisted the City in collecting input to the collection by year’s end. Staff throughout the from the community about how to best utilize a former System provided eReader demonstrations, showing railway corridor, for the City to use during its planning patrons how to download eBooks. Despite limited process. Additionally, KCLS formed numerous community access to several libraries during construction of Capital partnerships around Take Time to READ, a groundbreaking Bond projects, more than 10 million visitors came initiative that encouraged people to find more time to through the doors of KCLS’ 48 libraries during the year, read. The campaign included a Book Cover Walking Tour a strong indication that KCLS continues to be at the that placed 266 four-by-six foot posters throughout 14 center of community life. The thousands of people who communities and the installation of Quick Reads Shelves attended the openings of the new Duvall and Newcastle and rocking chairs in numerous community locations, Libraries was further evidence that the library is at including Concourse B at the Seattle-Tacoma International the heart of communities throughout the County. Airport, the busiest commuter spot in the region.

2 The year also saw more libraries shifting to the new The announcement caps another year of accomplishments Services Strategy staffing model; five of 14 clusters have at KCLS and serves as a catalyst for providing great transitioned and all libraries will be similarly organized service to the community for many years to come. by the end of 2014. The reorganization also included the formation of a Social Media Team, which made significant strides in increasing KCLS’ presence on social networking sites. All libraries are now benefitting from a new comprehensive planning tool that utilizes demographic, marketing and lifestyle data, enabling staff to better Bill Ptacek understand the residents of the communities they serve KCLS Director and to align services more closely to their interests.

In April 2012, Enumclaw residents approved annexation to KCLS, which now serves the entire County with the exception of the City of Seattle and two small communities in Bellevue. For nearly two and a half decades, citizens have voted to annex, fund and maintain the operations of the System, so it comes as no surprise that the Institute of Museum and Library Services selected KCLS as a finalist for the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal “I have to say that I love KCLS. is the nation’s highest honor conferred on museums The libraries are lovely and the librarians and libraries and celebrates institutions that make a are always so helpful and patient. difference for individuals, families and communities. Thanks for providing such a great service!”

3 2012 IN NUMBERS The success of a year can be measured in many ways, one of which is by the number of people who utilized library programs, services and resources. The following are a few noteworthy numbers from 2012:

MILLION CHECK OUTS 106,000 10.1 12,416 MILLION VISITORS NEW PATRONS TUTORING HOURS

CHECKING IN NEW MEMBERS UPGRADING COMPUTER SKILLS More than 22 million books, movies KCLS welcomed more than 106,000 902 free computer classes were and music were checked out by new patrons in 2012, bringing the offered through the TechTutor year’s end, a slight increase from total to more than one million people Volunteer Program, with an 21.8 million in 2011. in King County who have a KCLS attendance of more than 2,663. library card. VALUED VISITORS ALL BOOKED UP In the Library: 10.1 million people STUDY SUPPORT KCLS library meeting rooms were set foot inside KCLS’ 48 libraries. Study Zone volunteers provided a reserved a total of 23,241 times. total of 12,416 hours of free tutoring Online: Visits to kcls.org reached service to 10,484 students at 40 39.8 million hits. library locations and online. In the Community: Outreach vehicles (ABC Express, Traveling Library Center, Techlab and Library2Go!) visited a combined total of 56,824 people.

4 MILLION EBOOKS

23,241 38,031 89,286 MEETING ROOM RESERVATIONS SUMMER READERS ANSWERS

FREE DOWNLOADS ANSWERING SERVICE GOOD NEWS 1.02 million eBooks were 89,286 questions were The total value of news coverage downloaded, a 129% increase from answered via phone and for KCLS’ libraries, including social 2011, making KCLS the top public email by Answer Line staff. media, was $302,754. library in eBook downloads. CITIZENSHIP CLASSES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH… SUMMER READING SUCCESS 2,750 people attended free After defining and forming a 38,031 children participated in the Citizenship Classes. Partnership Policy, 44 partnerships Summer Reading Program and were created or formalized. 56,439 children attended programs.

44 PARTNERSHIPS 5 SERVICES: THREE POINTS OF ACCESS KCLS continued to connect with patrons three primary ways: in the traditional library setting as well as online and in the community. To connect with as many people as possible, programs and services engaged various ages and populations.

IN THE LIBRARY Libraries are gathering places where people study, read, meet with friends and attend programs for all ages. Although more library services than ever before were offered online and in the community, more than 10 million people visited KCLS’ 48 libraries in 2012.

YOUTH PROGRAMS: READING FOR FUN From building Early Literacy skills through Story Times to organizing reading comprehension competitions, KCLS offered a variety of entertaining activities to engage children of all ages. The following is a sampling of programs:

WELL-ROUNDED ACTIVITY A HEAD START ON SUMMER… children’s eBook circulation increased The Global Reading Challenge READING, THAT IS 109% from the previous year. engaged more than 1,900 fourth To encourage children to participate To keep children in south King and fifth grade students from 53 in the Dream Big, Read! Summer County reading during the summer, elementary schools throughout Reading Program, reading logs were KCLS was challenged to develop KCLS’ service area. After students handed out at schools, allowing and implement a plan through a read 10 books with an emphasis children to record their reading partnership with the Community on diversity and globalization, minutes before the program formally Center for Education Results (CCER) they answer detailed questions launched on June 1. Although not Roadmap Project around their Let’s during competitions within their as many children officially registered Read initiative. In response, staff schools, districts and regions. on KCLS’ Web site after receiving from Auburn, Burien, Fairwood, First time participant Grand Ridge reading logs at school, the number Federal Way, Foster and Kent Elementary, in the Issaquah School of children who reached the halfway Libraries visited 40 free lunch sites, District, was the winner of the and finisher marks increased in including 13 parks, 11 schools, nine culminating Grand Challenge. record numbers from the previous community centers, six apartment year, 24% and 22% respectively. complexes and one church. Staff Circulation of children’s print reached 4,652 children and 1,045 materials also increased 5% and

6 “We want to extend a huge thank you for your support this summer! Connecting families with local libraries and participating in Story Times and Summer Reading Program events has been wonderful for 35 families of children headed to kindergarten. Your openness and collaboration has been terrific.”

HOT OFF THE PRESS

To advertise the Summer Reading Program, 225,000 reading logs were distributed to school districts and libraries before the end of the school year, along with 25,000 preschool reading logs.

adults during the course of 147 visits EARLY LITERACY IN SPANISH families receive free books in Spanish and brought Library2Go! outreach In King County, more than 172,000 to take home. In 2012, a total of 128 vehicles to 19 locations, helping residents, nearly 10% of the Fiestas were offered, serving more children discover new books to population, is Hispanic. This is a than 2,713 children, parents and check out. Story Times were held fast-growing demographic and many caregivers and 1,345 giveaway books at most sites and 10 Spanish Story families speak only Spanish at home. were distributed. In just six years, the Times were held at two locations. Research shows that young children Fiestas have reached an estimated Many of the children and families are more likely to succeed in school 10,800 participants. who library staff connected with if they develop Early Literacy skills in had never before visited a library their home language before learning 10,800 PARTICIPANTS and by the end of the program, 308 English. To help Latino families with children signed up to participate preschool-age children learn more “I love Fiestas. I read more to in KCLS’ Summer Reading Program. about Early Literacy and school my daughter, so that when Of those, 146 earned halfway prizes readiness, Fiestas de Alfabetización and 120 earned final prizes. Thanks Temprana en Español workshops she gets to school she will to the efforts of KCLS and partner were offered at 16 libraries. Each be prepared to learn. The school districts, CCER received a 90-minute class is conducted entirely facilitators are excellent. I $40 million Race to the Top grant. in Spanish by trained facilitators and always learn something new.”

7 TEEN PROGRAMS: SKILLS FOR SUCCESS Supporting teenagers, who are busy juggling school and social responsibilities, continued to be a priority. From homework help to organizing programs for fun and skill building, the library remained relevant to the lives of teens. The following is a sampling:

STUDY GUIDES FILM FESTIVAL The Study Zone is a place for students to study, do For the second year in a row, KCLS hosted a red carpet homework and get help with their questions. Open to event to showcase creative teens who submitted videos to grades K-12, each tutor works with 1-5 students at a time. the Read • Film • Win (RFW) video contest. Since 2008, RFW In 2012, Study Zone volunteers provided a total of 12,416 has given tech savvy teens the opportunity to create short hours of tutoring services to 10,484 students at 40 library video book reviews or video book trailers with the goal of locations and online. KCLS’ Study Zone is the largest winning a prize. In 2012, more than 60 people attended volunteer study assistance program in the U.S. among the red carpet event, where two teens were awarded $100 public libraries. gift cards and their very own “Oscar.” One proud teacher even attended after nine students submitted videos they created in his film class (one of his students won!). The KCLS Foundation generously funded this program.

8 GAME PLAN Offered throughout the year in 24 libraries, Game On! attracts teens TEENS who enjoy video games. More than 8,000 500 programs were offered in 2012, with 8,000 teens participating. GAME N Gaming allows teens to interact socially while learning about other services the library offers. In a survey conducted by the American Library Association of public libraries offering gaming, 80% of teens reported they returned to the library to use other resources. In a recent survey of KCLS Game On! participants, 63% reported they frequent the library more than twice a week.

SCHOOL MATTERS For a second year, Life After High School programs encouraged teens and their families to prepare for college or the workforce. A total of 46 programs were held, attended by more than 500 people, on topics such as choosing the right college, finding money for college, scholarships, job interview skills and more.

IN THE CLUB Unique to each location, Teen Book Clubs engaged youth throughout the year. A new book club at Mount Si High School in the Snoqualmie Valley School District attracted more than 100 high school students, who met during their lunch break. Another popular book club for teens TEEN TIME was Pizza and Books at Lake Forest At the Library: 1,939 library programs were Park Library. Teens, ages 12 to18, offered for teens, with an attendance of discussed books while eating free 31,287. pizza, sponsored by the Friends At Schools: 1,042 middle and high school of the Lake Forest Park Library. programs were offered, with an attendance of 39,164.

9 EVENT FULL

Offered at schools, community venues and locations throughout King County, 47 programs ranging from music and dance 50% performances to multicultural puppet shows and author events, were attended by more than 12,000 people. The year ended with planning for a new program series for INCREASE 2013: A Place at the Table: Inspiring Cooks, Nourishing Communities, which focuses on cooking, nutrition, locally produced food and more. In addition to offering new food ideas and preparation skills, the series will help everyone create a nourishing table by accepting non-perishable food donations, to be distributed through 35% partnerships with local food banks. MORE ATTENDEES

ADULT PROGRAMS: CLASS ACTION For many people, continuous learning sparks the imagination and enhances the quality of life. Programs that interest and inspire adults increased 50% throughout 2012, with 35% more attendees.

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT programs on Civil War topics at attendees per session. A total of KCLS was one of 65 libraries libraries throughout KCLS included more than 570 people attended throughout the United States to Fiddle Tunes of the Civil War, Civil InfoBiz programs in 2012. host public reading and discussion War Quilts, Civil War Cinema and The HIGHER EDUCATION programs on the Civil War, funded Civil War in Washington Territory. Specifically targeting ages 50 and by a grant from the National ENCOURAGING ENTREPRENEURS older, More to Explore 50+ program Endowment for the Humanities and In support of the small business series topics ranged from travel the American Library Association. community, InfoBiz programs to volunteering to health. The More than 900 people attended included a brown bag lecture series Transforming Life After 50 staff programs and discussions as part of in cooperation with Community committee also created a Web the Let’s Talk About It: Making Sense Capital Development and the guide with online resources on of the American Civil War program centrally funded program Cooking topics such as work and money, series. Five book discussions were Up a Home Based Food Business, health and technology. Close to held at the Mercer Island Library, which was well-attended at 900 people attended More to led by project scholar Lorraine 11 libraries in September and Explore related programs in 2012. McConaghy of the Museum of October 2012 with more than 41 History and Industry. Supplemental

10 DIVERSITY PROGRAMS: CELEBRATING CULTURES For people new to the United States, learning English is a gateway to opportunities. From employment to the right to vote, the benefits are many. To serve new arrivals, a number of programs were offered throughout the year.

A DÍA TO CELEBRATE Literacy Towards Citizenship: “The impact of the Chinese In an effort to highlight El día de los People studying for the U.S. Book Club does not stay in niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Naturalization test learned about Day/Book Day), also known as Día, the application process and studied the club. My wife and friends celebrated nationally each year civics and history questions at free who saw my Chinese books on April 30, events and activities classes at 14 locations. A total of borrowed them and read were held at 47 libraries and two 458 classes were held, with 2,750 them, too. Had it not been for regional events were organized. With attendees, including 217 new the book club, we would have multicultural book displays, cultural students. The KCLS Foundation programs and world language Story provided 160 workbooks to students limited reading materials.” Times in Chinese, French, Japanese, completing their fourth class session Russian, Somali and Spanish, there and more than half of the students was something for everyone. All KCLS reported passing the test in 2012. libraries participated in Dia in 2012, a 67% increase from 2011. As a result English Language Learner Family of these efforts, KCLS was one of Night: Kingsgate Library staff hosted three recipients of the first Estela and an English Language Learner (ELL) Raúl Mora Honor Award, recognizing family night to welcome parents efforts to promote Dia, presented and students to the library, some during the American Library for the first time. The program was Association Midwinter Conference in the first to utilize new interpretation January 2013. equipment to facilitate conversations in Spanish and Hmong. HIGHLY CULTURED A number of programs especially for diverse populations were offered Chinese Book Club: Meeting at throughout 2012. The following are a the Lake Hills Library for the first few highlights: time in 2010 with six members, the Chinese Book Club quickly grew to MANY VOICES, Talk Time: To help English language 15 members. Due to the success MANY LISTENERS learners improve their speaking of the program, guidelines for skills, Talk Time provided free supporting future world language From the steel drums of the conversational English lessons at 24 book groups were developed. A Caribbean to storytelling libraries. A total of 1,121 classes were second Chinese Book Club began from Africa, more than 8,000 held with 8,851 attendees, including in 2012 at Kingsgate Library. people attended 52 programs 780 new students. at 41 libraries as part of the multicultural series Many Voices, One Land, which celebrated the diversity of the Pacific Northwest. Held from February-March 2012, attendance increased 242% from when the program was previously offered.

11 MILLION WEB VISITS

ONLINE Almost four times as many people visited KCLS online than in-person, with a total of 39.8 million visits to kcls.org by year’s end. To keep up with the demand, online services were continually enhanced.

IN THE ZONE: REDESIGNED TEEN ZONE WEB PAGES GROWING UP: ONLINE STORY TIME To better engage teens online, the Teen Zone Web pages The online Story Time companion Tell Me A Story, which were redesigned and launched in 2012. Specific goals of offers reviews of books and songs from Story Times the project were to create a teen-centered site, simplify at libraries, continued to grow in 2012. Parents and and modernize the pages and to enable teens to quickly caregivers returned to the site frequently. The Web pages find what they are looking for. In addition to achieving received 648,775 views. The Tell Me A Story video library, these goals, the new Web pages are more seamlessly featuring Children’s Librarians performing rhymes and integrated with the catalog. A Hot New Reads section songs for young children, expanded with 186 new videos highlights teen-appropriate books, which can be placed posted to YouTube. Tell Me A Story videos have been on hold with a few simple clicks. A brighter color palette viewed 570,974 times since the site launched in 2011. enhances the visual impact of the site and a slideshow highlights programs and services, such as Homework Help.

12 12,024 LIKES

SOCIAL SKILLS Facebook Ad campaign in late Library. Nonprofit organizations took With the number of Facebook users 2012. In just five weeks, more than advantage of free access to grants in the world reaching more than 6,000 new Friends “liked” the KCLS databases to identify funders who one billion, more people than ever Facebook page, increasing followers match their interests. In addition, the before communicate online. To by more than 100% by year-end. NPRC promoted their resources to reach online users, KCLS enhanced almost 2,600 people at meetings and PHILANTHROPIC ENDEAVORS its social media presence. In early conferences throughout the year. The Nonprofit & Philanthropy 2012, a central Social Media Team Resource Center (NPRC), which has was formed to oversee all KCLS an online presence and is based out social sites: Facebook, Twitter and Nonpro t & of the Redmond Library, continued YouTube. As a result, staff interacted N Philanthropy to serve the nonprofit community online with more library patrons P Resource for the 12th year. The NPRC Web than ever before: more than 16,000 R pages received a record number of Center people combined on Facebook and C visits, nearly 16,000, and 800 people Twitter. Contributing to this growth visited the Center at the Redmond was the KCLS Community Relations

13 HERE AND THERE

Library2Go! vehicles were often the highlight at community events that included Newcastle Days, North Bend Farmer’s Market, Black Diamond Labor Days Event, Federal Way Libraries’ 20th Anniversary Celebration, Shoreline Arts Festival and 35 school venues.

IN THE COMMUNITY A community presence is vital. It entails serving people who cannot access the library, partnering with agencies to provide enhanced services and spreading the word about the importance of literacy.

DRIVEN TO DELIVER To reach even more people in 2012, outreach services were expanded to three senior facilities and three childcares in Enumclaw as well as three sites in Vashon Island, for a total of 1,005 sites served.

APPLIED MATHEMATICS: MOBILE LEARNING LABS Expanding mobile outreach services, four new vehicles will hit the roads in spring 2013. Each vehicle is equipped 1,005 with seven patron computer stations, a printer and a digital wall monitor for public instruction. Staff will use SITES SERVED the vehicles to lead workshops for school-age children to engage them “Library2Go! is a wonderful in learning math and science as well community service for those as assist English language learners. of us who no longer drive but love our books. The library labs have also been a boon to our ability to cope with all the new technology.”

14 DELIVERY SERVICE

The following outreach vehicles hit the streets in 2012, serving a total of 56,824 people: ABC Express served 54 daycares and 23 community locations, serving a total of 23,376 children. Traveling Library Center visited 173 senior facilities, reaching more than 2,500 people. Techlab, equipped with computer stations, provided 220 computer instruction classes to more than 1,500 participants at low-income apartment communities, refugee/immigrant service organizations, retirement communities and more. Library2Go! visited a total of 29,448 people. Childcares were visited 1,428 times, serving 15,679 children; community sites were visited 686 times, serving 7,798 people; senior sites were visited 110 times, serving 409 people; and 51 special event visits reached 5,563 people.

BY REQUEST: STORIES2GO! sets on topics such as the alphabet, In the second year of service, colors, counting and nursery five Library2Go! bookmobiles rhymes. The kits enable childcare continued to make community visits, providers and parents to strengthen delivering materials to children, children’s Early Literacy skills by families and childcare providers. engaging their sight, sound and In response to the number one touch. The KCLS Foundation and request of caregivers, KCLS created the Friends of the Mercer Island 200 multimedia themed kits, called Library generously provided funding Stories2Go! to add to the mobile for the kits. In a recent survey of vehicle collections. The five-part Library2Go! childcare providers, 93% “Having the bus come to our multimedia kits are designed to of respondents rated the overall daycare has been awesome. service as excellent, mentioning the appeal to children ages 3 to 5 with I love that you come to us. picture books, music CDs and felt convenience and friendliness of staff. When I tell the children the bus is coming, they go crazy. They love to be able to get new books every month.”

15 COMMUNITY COLLABORATION Working with outside organizations that share similar ideals allows KCLS to offer enhanced services. It also allows the Library System to do what it does best: provide outstanding service to all.

A NEW CONVEYANCE feedback via three forums. A total of TRUE VALUE: PARTNERSHIPS The communities served by KCLS 120 online comments were received, With a tradition of leveraging see, on occasion, civic issues that more than 80 people attended a partnerships to provide innovative stir community interest. Realizing an public charrette and 30 written programs and services for patrons, opportunity to utilize the library’s comments were submitted. Gathered KCLS formalized a Partnership Policy traditional role as an unbiased by KCLS, the input was given without in 2012. As a result, 44 partnerships information provider and a place of any alteration to the City of Kirkland were created or formalized. The conversation, a civic engagement in September 2012. City staff will use Partnership Policy encourages initiative, Convey, was developed. the results from the Convey project staff to partner with organizations The first Convey project entailed as part of the public input for the that align with KCLS’ missions, facilitating a conversation about the CKC Master Planning process. In the goals and polices for the purpose Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC), as the coming year, library cluster managers of implementing or promoting a City of Kirkland sought public input will explore future opportunities for program or service. on how to best use the old railway Convey projects that address broad corridor. Library staff worked in issues affecting communities. tandem with the Kirkland Arts Center (KAC) on the project, encouraging residents to share information and

16 THE FOLLOWING ARE A FEW 2012 PARTNERS NOTEWORTHY PARTNERSHIPS: 4Culture Safe Place: In collaboration with Alzheimer’s Association Friends of Youth, Youth Cares and Amazon Auburn Youth Resources, KCLS became American Heart Association a participant in Safe Place, a national Bellevue Arts Museum organization that offers shelter and Bellevue Reporter counseling to at-risk youth ages 12 to The Body Counselor 17. In June 2012, KCLS staff members Boeing Employees Credit Union were trained in Safe Place procedures Book Publishers Network and by year’s end were able to assist Book Publishers Northwest several youth. Each night, there are Books on the Bus-Transportation Choices between 500-1,000 youth on the Chinese Information & Service Center streets of King County and Safe Places City of Auburn Arts and Recreation Department provides shelter until help arrives. City of Burien Parks & Recreation City of Redmond, Events and Marketing Transportation Choices Coalition: City of Renton, Community Services As part of a book club for transit City of Sammamish riders, called Books on the Bus, the Community Alliance for Social Justice Transportation Choices Coalition Community Schools Collaboration added the Take Time to READ logo Costco to their bus advertisements and Eastside Catholic School listed KCLS as a promotion partner. Essay Mentors This provided an opportunity Highline Times/Des Moines News to reach the membership of Island Quilter Transportation Choices Coalition.​ KCTS 9 Television King County Department of Elections Washington New Americans (WNA): King County Housing Authority Through a partnership with WNA, KING FM 98.1 library services were introduced to Kirkland Arts Center new arrivals to the United States. In Kirkland Teen Union (YMCA) turn, KCLS participated with WNA in Maywood Hills Elementary Parent Teacher Association citizenship fairs, voter registration Mercer Island Preschool Association drives and community forums. Nancy Stewart NELA Center for Student Success Northwest Bookfest: As a community Northwest Bookfest partner, KCLS and the Kirkland Library Pacific Northwest Writers Association participated in the two-day festival, Redmond Historical Society featuring 130 authors, 30 panels, Safe Place/Youth Care 25 writing workshops and seven SeaMar Community Health Center special programs. KING FM 98.1 radio Seattle Education Access provided promotional opportunities Shoreline Lake Forest Park Arts Council and grants totaling more than Social Security Administration $12,000 were received from the City Swedish Cancer Institute of Kirkland, 4Culture and the King Sylvan Learning Center, Auburn County Library System Foundation. Sylvan Learning Center, Federal Way Other community partners and U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services sponsors included Amazon, Book Vashon Youth & Family Services Publishers Network, Book Publishers Washington New Americans Northwest, Costco and Pacific Wintergrass Festival Northwest Writers Association. Youth Eastside Services

17 A TIMELESS MESSAGE: READ To encourage even the busiest of people to find time to enjoy a book, or even just a few pages now and then, the Take Time to READ initiative saw another successful year.

TAKE TIME TO READ Thirty Quick Reads Shelves and Take Receiving two national awards in Time to READ rocking chairs were 2012, the Take Time to READ initiative located throughout the County, from continued to encourage people to public health clinics to tire stores, find unexpected moments to read anywhere people may have a few with a few new developments. In extra minutes to read while waiting. partnership with ClearChannel, Shelves are stocked with new and three Quick Reads Shelves stocked donated books and magazines, no with free reading materials and checkout or return required. During four rocking chairs were located the summer, 266 six-foot-tall framed “I was picking up my daughter in a concourse at Seattle-Tacoma book cover posters were featured in at the airport last night and International Airport and a banner 14 communities, creating outdoor art galleries. A guidebook in print and saw the huge KCLS banner. reminding travelers to read spanned the exterior skybridge. From July online listed all titles and locations What a terrific idea and a through the end of 2012, the banner and invited readers to use a QR code great message. Traveling was viewed more than 19 million on the posters to connect directly to with my family always times by drivers and passengers the KCLS catalog. Almost 250 KCLS means a new book.” heading to the pick-up area. Facebook users participated in an

18 GOOD TIMING: TWO AWARDS

In 2012, KCLS was awarded two prestigious national honors for the Take Time to READ program: The Urban Libraries Council selected Take Time to READ as a Top Innovator in the “Positioning the Library” category for both promoting recreational reading and elevating the visibility of KCLS through a region-wide campaign.

The American Library Association, American Libraries Magazine and Ebsco Publishing honored KCLS with the John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award for strategic communication in the Take Time to READ promotion. This marks the 10th JCD Award for KCLS—a new record. In addition to the honor, KCLS received $10,000 from the H.W. Wilson Foundation to fund public relations efforts.

online readers’ advisory offer, writing the course of the year. Take Time about their three favorite books. to READ Media partners included They received custom personalized ClearChannel Communications, suggestions for their next great read KIRO radio, KCTS9, Seattle Met and a donated $5 coffee card. Magazine and Titan Outdoor.

Advertising on Metro buses and In the coming year, KCLS will launch KCLS shipping trucks reminded the READometer App, allowing more than 30,000 residents to people to track their reading minutes read and more than a million ESPN and to quickly find the nearest Quick Mariner’s broadcast listeners heard Reads Shelf or KCLS library. Funding “Thank you for including local celebrity announcers talk for Take Time to READ is generously about their favorite books. Seattle provided by the KCLS Foundation. children’s books. One of Met Magazine brought Take Time to the little girls I saw last READ to more than a million readers week refused to part with a in each issue in July, August and book; she carted it through September 2012. In total, 55 million the exam rooms and impressions were registered through everywhere else she went.”

19 COLLECTIONS: QUALITY AND QUANTITY Providing quality information is KCLS’ core business. Just like a bookstore, shelves are stocked with popular fiction and the downloads collection is continually refreshed with new titles. In 2012, KCLS circulated more than 22 million items System-wide, a slight increase from 2011.

NEW RELEASES In addition to the ongoing selection of new materials added to the collection throughout the year, adult collections were refreshed in several subject areas: caregiving, urban farming, music instruction, photography and more. A total of 799 new and classic titles were added, with 10,000 copies available for checkout. To keep people informed about global news, world language newspapers continued to be delivered to community libraries daily. Using an online service called Newspaper “I went to an eReader session and the Direct, a total of 16,344 newspapers were printed and room was packed with people with distributed, representing 14 countries and 24 languages. every conceivable device. I didn’t know much more than how to turn on my Kindle Fire. Staff helped me download a book from the library and place a hold. What an asset the eReader service is.”

20 ON THE SAME PAGE: The eBook collection was diversified with the addition of DEDICATED TO DOWNLOADS Blio, Baker & Taylor’s new eBook platform, which provides More than one million eBooks were downloaded in eBooks for tablet computers and smart phones. By the end 2012, a 129% increase from the previous year. With of 2012, more items were downloaded from KCLS than the explosion in sales of eReaders, tablets and smart any other public library in the country. KCLS ranked first in phones, KCLS launched a multi-prong eBook initiative both eBook downloads and all digital media downloads. focused on collection growth, staff training and increased promotion. To get people started with eBooks, drop-in sessions were held at libraries, encouraging people to stop by with their eReader, tablet, phone or just their questions. KCLS substantially increased its downloadable collections, adding 34,272 copies and 10,868 titles.

INCREASE IN EBOOK DOWNLOADS

21 TECHNOLOGY: UPDATES AND UPGRADES To meet the increased demand for online services, KCLS undertook a number of initiatives in 2012, including enhancing the Evergreen System and updating hardware and software throughout the System.

SPRUCING UP THE EVERGREEN SOFTWARE With the objective of making information even more easily accessible, KCLS continued to refine the open- source Evergreen Software. Developed to allow for better customization than vendor-owned software, the most visible component of the system is the library catalog. While many new features have been added since implementation, and system performance has improved, it became clear early in 2012 that a new support strategy was needed for future enhancements to the system.

Professional firms whose open-source software experience extended beyond library technology were identified. Working with developers and system engineers, implementation of new features, searching software and performance improvements were realized by year-end and will continue in the coming year.

22 OTHER ENHANCEMENTS Several projects were undertaken, or started, in 2012:

Phone System Replacement: KCLS embarked on a three-year initiative to replace 48 separate phone systems with a single network-based system.

Network Enhancements: The beginning phases of implementation for I-NET2 got underway. I-NET2 will provide an approximate ten-fold increase in general network capacity to support the increased use of technology in libraries and the influx of patrons using their own laptops, phones and tablets.

Preparing for Future Growth: The Data Center, which is the central location for the Evergreen ILS, email servers and network and telephone systems, underwent a remodel to create capacity for future growth and more reliably restore systems.

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY To maintain up-to-date technology, KCLS refreshed roughly one-fourth of its public and staff workstations, printers, laptops, servers and various supporting technology throughout the System. In 2012, hardware was also provided to the following renovated, newly opened or annexed libraries: Enumclaw, Lake Forest Park, Duvall, Auburn and Newcastle.

A new software system, EnvisonWare, was implemented to better manage booking and printing on library computers. EnvisionWare provides a more streamlined and efficient interface for patrons and staff have better tools to oversee the use of public computers.

23 STAFF: DAILY DEDICATION The success of KCLS libraries is ultimately a result of staff who are dedicated to providing assistance, help and resources. To keep staff skills refreshed and up-to-date, a number of programs were offered.

INSIDE JOB: NEW ONLINE LEARNING CURVE PAGE TURNER APPLICATION SYSTEM KCLS continued its commitment to Nine years since the inception KCLS began using an online lifelong learning and diversity by of the Page Fellowship program, application system, NEOGOV, to offering staff the opportunity to KCLS continued to hire and retain streamline the recruiting and hiring study various languages. In 2012, 35 a more diverse workforce that process. Since the move to NEOGOV staff members participated in the directly connects with and reflects in mid-2012, KCLS received 5,062 Language Funding Program, taking the communities KCLS serves. online applications for 136 positions, classes on English Accent Reduction, The program offers participants resulting in 142 hires. The online Spanish, Russian, Italian, French, professional and career development system is beneficial to potential Japanese and Chinese. In 2012, 43 opportunities through on-the-job- hires as it allows them to reapply for staff members also participated in training, workshops, job shadowing other jobs in a matter of minutes the KCLS Tuition Assistance Program. activities and ongoing training. using previously stored information. Of those, 13 students graduated. In 2012, there was an increase in It also allows managers and staff the number of Page Fellowship involved in the hiring process to participants accepting and easily review online applications advancing into higher level positions, without the need for paper copies. a marked improvement from the first graduating class in 2005 and a continuing trend since 2011. 24 CLASSIFIED 2012 was the busiest year yet for Staff Development, with 14 new classes offered. The number of classes increased 37% from 285 classes in 2011 to 390 classes in 2012, thanks in part to webinars and online courses. The following are a few highlights:

Classes were offered on time management, managing email and effective public speaking.

Reference services classes focused on advanced searching on databases, census data and performing legal and medical research.

In preparation for the holidays, and eReaders anticipated as a popular gift, 189 staff members attended eBook Refresher sessions.

49 staff completed Readers’ Advisory, a five-part series covering the use of library technology, database searching, Responding to Critical Situations and Meeting Patron Needs.

A video for Library Pages was created to orient new Pages to KCLS and explain their job duties.

More than 150 staff members were trained to use CommunityConnect, which provides information about local communities and helps staff better match local library services to the unique needs of communities.

A WORKING MODEL

The new Services Strategy staffing model was implemented at two additional library clusters in 2012: Algona-Pacific/Auburn/ Muckleshoot and Mercer Island/Newcastle/ Newport Way. The staffing model allows librarians more time to focus on community outreach and online services. To support staff transitioning to the new model, Leading Change, Responding to Critical Situations and other classes were offered.

25 FACILITIES: BUILDING COMMUNITY During the course of the year, the first Newcastle Library opened and the Enumclaw Library annexed to the System, bringing the total number of libraries to 48. Ensuring that all facilities were welcoming and inviting continued to be a priority.

BOND INVESTMENTS With a few years remaining of the decade-long Capital Bond Improvement Plan, progress continued on library enhancement projects. Enthusiastic crowds turned out for four library opening celebrations, with a combined total of 2,050 in attendance. Attendance at the Newcastle Library opening exceeded 1,000 people eager to visit the first library in their community.

The first-ever Newcastle Library The new Duvall Library opened NEW ADDITION opened in December 2012. The in August 2012. The 8,000 square 11,000 square foot building foot library was built in the heart The renovated Enumclaw was warmly welcomed by the of historic downtown Duvall and Library was celebrated with community and features a reading was designed to meet LEED Silver an open house in December room with windows spanning standards, featuring a ground source 2012 after improvements three sides of the building. The heat pump, energy efficient lighting, were completed to the building includes a geothermal well recycled materials and a green roof. building following the heating and cooling system, radiant library’s annexation to KCLS heated floors and a green roof. in April 2012. Enhancements included new paint, carpet and furniture, a cyber (computer) bar for laptop users, more public computers and significant additions to 2,050 the library’s collection. ATTENDEES

26 A NATURAL LEADER LED Lighting: KCLS retrofitted parking lot lights with eco-friendly LED lights. The bulbs are more cost-effective than standard light bulbs.

Reusable Bags: KCLS piloted reusable bags that patrons may check out or purchase at cost to carry library materials. The reusable bags, made from a lightweight recyclable fabric, are an even more economical and environmentally friendly way to protect library materials than compostable bags that replaced traditional plastic bags several years ago. The reusable bags will be available System-wide in 2013.

RATE OF RETURN To return materials to library shelves more quickly, additional Automated Materials Handling Systems (AMH) were installed in 2012. New systems were added at Newcastle and Auburn Libraries and existing systems were expanded at Redmond, Bothell and Covington Libraries. The Auburn Library system is the first in the U.S. to use a component called the TurnMate, a turntable that orients the books to drop into appropriate carts.

The expanded and renovated The renovated and expanded Lake Storefront improvements and Auburn Library opened in Forest Park Library reopened interior enhancements at the September 2012. Two sides of the in January 2012. The library was Library Connection @ Southcenter original building were expanded, expanded to 5,841 square feet, were completed in January 2012. bringing the library to 20,000 which is 60% larger than the former In addition to increasing square square feet. Windows allow views of library. The interior of the library has footage, enhancements included neighboring Les Gove Park and the more computers and a multipurpose new furniture, carpet and paint. library includes a central reading room that may be sectioned off from area, a modified entryway, expanded the main library for small group parking and a rain garden. meetings via a sliding glass wall.

“I’m impressed with the new Lake Forest Park Library. You’ve got a diamond now!”

27 STEWARDSHIP: FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY KCLS continued to offer quality programs and services to those who need them most, thanks to prudent financial management and continued support from the KCLS Foundation.

LEVY LID LIFT KCLS revenue declined by $4.7 million in 2012, for the first time in decades. Property values in KCLS’ service area declined by 5%, coupled with a continued decline in new construction. Due to the Levy Lid Lift, KCLS is at the statutory limit of $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Despite the difficult economic climate, KCLS continued its tradition of prudent financial management. In order to preserve the majority of the lid lift revenue for coming years, KCLS targeted $700,000 in spending reductions in 2012. The reductions offset needed spending increases in other areas so that the 2012 Operating Budget was only 1.8% higher than the prior year. This was in keeping with the multi-year financial strategy of stretching lid lift revenue as far as possible.

28 A STRONG FOUNDATION The mission of the King County Library System Foundation is to promote literacy, learning and libraries by providing support beyond public funding for initiatives and resources that enable KCLS to better serve the needs of the community.

In 2012, the KCLS Foundation provided close to $450,000 in direct support for programs, facilities and services that benefited 200,000 children, youth and adults. With the belief that reading is transformational, the KCLS Foundation strives to create a community of readers and supports programs that connect residents of all ages with reading opportunities.

Many of the programs cited in the KCLS Year in Review were funded, in part, by the Foundation, including Take Time to READ, Summer Reading Program, Global Reading Challenge, Study Zone, Play & Learn and You Choose the Next Newbery.

In 2012, the KCLS Foundation launched a Capital Campaign, which will raise $1 million to add 2,000 square feet of community meeting and program space to the new Tukwila Library. The new Community Mosaic area will provide a performance space, gathering place, cultural hub and learning commons to benefit all residents of Tukwila.

More information may be found at www.kclsfoundation.org.

29 BEHIND THE SCENES Keeping 48 libraries running smoothly is the result of staff and numerous volunteers who support the goals of the System.

COLLECTION ENHANCEMENTS To keep library collections updated, To get new materials to patrons more collectionHQ was utilized at all quickly, Collections Management libraries. Based on patron usage, Services worked with a consulting collectionHQ provides reports that firm to analyze and revise current indicate areas of high demand workflows. A pilot project was and interest at specific libraries. undertaken, focused on reducing As a result, in 2012 KCLS refreshed the wait time for new music items. collections accordingly and was able By the end of the pilot, there was a to transfer materials from one library 300% reduction in wait time from to another based on demand. the moment an item is requested to when it is available for check out.

30 VALUABLE VOLUNTEERS With the nautical theme, Welcome ABSOLUTE VALUE: GIVING In 2012, 1,400 individuals Aboard the Friendship, Friends BACK TO THE COMMUNITY volunteered an average of 6.5 hours Day recognized the work of the Staff once again showed their per month at KCLS libraries. In any volunteers who donated time and commitment and caring for others given month, KCLS benefits from 800 energy to support community by supporting nonprofits and volunteers assisting the public with libraries. This was the 15th year charitable agencies during the 2012 homework help, English conversation the KCLS Foundation honored Workplace Caring Campaign, raising classes, preparation for the U.S. outstanding members of the Friends a total of $91,729 in donations. Staff Citizenship test, delivery of library of the Library organizations with members directed monetary gifts to materials and general support tasks. awards. From support for children, the KCLS Foundation, United Way of teen and adult programming to King County, Coalition for Charitable LIBRARY SUPPORTERS: hospitality at library events, the Choice as well as any favorite FRIENDS TO ALL Friends of the Library continued to agency. With the campaign theme Public libraries continued to play a impact their communities through Who Cares? We Do!, funding was significant role in the community, funds raised on behalf of KCLS. raised through pledges as well as an a task that would not be possible online auction and other activities. Library Advisory Boards, established without the support of KCLS’ 40 Leading up to the campaign, 72 by individual cities within KCLS, Friends of the Library and 16 Library staff members volunteered on Day collected community input and Advisory Board groups. In 2012, of Caring, lending a helping hand communicated with City and library KCLS welcomed two new Friends to people and animals in need. of the Library groups and one staff about community needs new Library Advisory Board to its that the local library can assist in list of supporters: The Friends of addressing. At a series of Library the Newcastle Library, the Friends Advisory Board Forums in November, “I just finished my last of the Enumclaw Library and the Advisory Board members learned volunteer shift of the year at about available tools at the library Enumclaw Library Advisory Board. the Burien Library and look The 40 Friends of the Library groups to help them better understand the provided a combined total of more makeup of their communities. forward to another year of than $298,533 to support programs, spending time with all those materials, art and more in 2012. books and people who make my time there so worth it.”

PRINT PREVIEW In addition, a template program NEWSWORTHY A number of measures were taken was implemented, allowing for In 2012, KCLS media coverage throughout the year to let people quick turnaround printing of simple yielded an average of 472 news know about new and expanded posters and flyers for programs such and social media mentions each library resources and programs. as book groups, movie programs and month, with a total advertising With two new libraries added to computer classes. value equivalent of $302,754, or the System and expanded outreach more than $25,000 per month. The services, KCLS’ in-house design and Online Events Calendar, a searchable print shop, which is outfitted with system of library events and ongoing a digital press, several high-speed programs, received 971,294 hits. copiers and bindery equipment, kept up with a 31% increase in demand for print pieces.

$302,754 VALUE

31 HONORABLE MENTIONS KCLS was honored to receive six awards in 2012:

Kenmore Library 2012 AIA Northwest and Pacific Region Citation Award for Design Excellence

Kenmore Library 2012 AIA Washington Council Civic Design Honor Award

Woodmont Library 2012 AIA Washington Council Civic Design Merit Award

Take Time to READ John Cotton Dana 2012 Library Public Relations Award

Take Time to READ Urban Libraries Council 2012 Top Innovators Award

King County Library System 2012 Outstanding Civic Organization, Municipal League

32 BUDGET OUTCOMES For the second year, KCLS implemented a budget review process to evaluate whether key programs and services achieved the intended outcomes for patrons and the community. The following areas were identified and results are reported to the Board of Trustees.

SERVICES Library2Go! Community Connections Library2Go! Early Literacy Assessments System Programming Study Zone Smart Tables COLLECTIONS collectionHQ Collection: Selection to Access eBooks

TECHNOLOGY Laptops in Community Libraries Evergreen Post-Production Enhancements Support of Patron Interests & Access

STAFF Future Services Staffing Training Page Fellowship Program

STEWARDSHIP Lid Lift Conservation Library Advisory Boards

33 FINANCIAL REPORT

2012 GENERAL FUND REVENUES $105M 2012 FINANCIAL REPORT 4% Unaudited preliminary 2012 information ALL OTHER REVENUE With a budget funded primarily from property taxes, it is imperative that the Library System be fiscally responsible at all times. Revenues in 2012 were 100.9% of budget and expenditures were 94.6% of budget. 96% The primary expenses of the Library PROPERTY TAXES System are salaries and benefits, books and materials, and facilities operations and maintenance.

Funding from capital bonds went toward library improvement projects. In 2012, KCLS spent $23.2 2012 million of capital funds on library GENERAL FUND EXPENSES construction and renovation projects. KCLS took advantage of $95.4M the low interest rate environment by refinancing outstanding bonds related to the Capital Improvement Plan, which resulted in a savings 15% 12% of $8.2 million dollars. BUILDING OTHER RELATED OPERATING 13% EXPENSES BOOKS & OTHER MATERIALS 60% SALARIES & BENEFITS

34 CIRCULATION STATISTICS

LIBRARY CHECKOUTS LIBRARY CHECKOUTS LIBRARY CHECKOUTS LAKE FOREST PARK 267,817 ISSAQUAH 856,259 ENUMCLAW 67,403 RICHMOND BEACH 246,449 SAMMAMISH 1,041,215 BLACK DIAMOND 113,044 SHORELINE 968,162 CLUSTER TOTAL 1,897,474 COVINGTON 730,544 CLUSTER TOTAL 1,482,428 MAPLE VALLEY 440,151 FALL CITY 113,190 CLUSTER TOTAL 1,351,142 BOTHELL 1,191,208 NORTH BEND 262,587 KENMORE 317,812 SNOQUALMIE 204,574 FEDERAL WAY 320th 192,831 KINGSGATE 502,852 CLUSTER TOTAL 580,351 FEDERAL WAY 930,792 CLUSTER TOTAL 2,011,872 VASHON 302,924 GREENBRIDGE 70,011 CLUSTER TOTAL 1,426,547 KIRKLAND 876,962 BOULEVARD PARK 114,547 REDMOND 1,454,486 BURIEN 518,384 ALGONA/PACIFIC 233,328 REDMOND RIDGE 82,507 WHITE CENTER 126,987 AUBURN 345,333 CLUSTER TOTAL 2,413,955 CLUSTER TOTAL 829,929 MUCKLESHOOT 78,075 CLUSTER TOTAL 656,736 CARNATION 125,531 SOUTHCENTER 183,731 DUVALL 195,315 VALLEY VIEW 164,290 ALL BRANCH CLUSTERS 20,437,480 SKYKOMISH 14,038 FOSTER 148,778 MOBILE SERVICES 200,869 WOODINVILLE 589,890 SKYWAY 137,288 YOUTH SERVICES 26,697 CLUSTER TOTAL 924,774 CLUSTER TOTAL 634,087 CENTER SPECIAL SERVICES 227,566 ANSWER LINE 46,775 RENTON 405,484

BELLEVUE 1,233,840 RENTON HIGHLANDS 317,581 DOWNLOADS 1,345,330 CROSSROADS 570,650 FAIRWOOD 689,358 INTERLIBRARY LOAN 18,218 LAKE HILLS 455,592 CLUSTER TOTAL 1,412,423 SERVICE CENTER 34,516 CLUSTER TOTAL 2,306,857 DES MOINES 271,356 TOTAL OF NON-BRANCHES 1,625,630 NEWCASTLE 27,369 KENT 678,221 MERCER ISLAND 502,293 WOODMONT 272,783 SYSTEM TOTAL 22,063,110 NEWPORT WAY 756,883 CLUSTER TOTAL 1,222,360 CLUSTER TOTAL 1,286,545

35 LEADERSHIP Leadership roles, including KCLS Board members and the Administrative Planning Team, continued to set the direction of the organization throughout the year. Their dedication resulted in another year of outstanding service to the community.

KCLS BOARD MEMBERS ADMINISTRATIVE PLANNING TEAM The five-member Board of Trustees governs the King The leadership team at KCLS oversees the day-to-day County Library System and sets policy for library operations of the organization. They work with civic and services throughout the System as guided by KCLS’ community organizations to ensure that library facilities Mission and Vision statements. Board members serve and services meet the constantly changing needs of the five-year terms, during which time they volunteer residents KCLS serves. hundreds of service hours. Bill Ptacek, Library Director Jim Wigfall, President Julie Brand, Director Lucy Krakowiak, Secretary Community Relations and Marketing

Jessica Bonebright, Trustee Linda Glenicki, Director Finance Robert Spitzer, Trustee Holly Koelling, Director Robin McClelland, Trustee Public Services

Jed Moffitt, Director Information Technology Services

Charlene Richards, Director Human Resources

Bruce Schauer, Director Public Services

Denise Siers, Director Public Services

Greg Smith, Director Facilities Management Services

Nancy Smith, Director Public Services

Jeanne Thorsen, Executive Director King County Library System Foundation

36 YEAR IN REVIEW 2012

A PDF of this document can be found at www.kcls.org/about/annualreport MILLION